Business & Membership

Doing Business in Jackson Hole: Start-Up, Sustainability, and Success

Whether you are starting a new business or sustaining an existing one we are here to help you succeed!

Welcome to the Business home page for the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce! We're proud to be the voice for business in Jackson Hole and encourage you to explore some of the available resources and opportunities included on this website. To find out what fellow Chamber Members are providing businesses to ensure you stay ahead of the game search our Membership Directory.

Benefits of Doing Business in Jackson Hole

Are you thinking of moving your business or primary residence to Jackson Hole? Wyoming is proud to be a business-friendly state and Jackson Hole has proven to be a favorite location for business-owners and investors.

Highlights

No state personal or corporate income tax; No state inheritance tax; No state gift tax; No state tax on retirement income; No state franchise or excise tax; No state tax on real estate sale proceeds; Low real estate property tax; No state tax on mineral interest ownership; No state tax on intangibles.

Wyoming sets the standard in high flexibility and low costs for business incorporation. Wyoming's close LLC statutes and rules allow for ease in business formation and management, asset protection from creditors, and privacy of company officers and members. Wyoming is one of the most preferred states to establish and maintain a family trust. This is due to the state's tax benefits in combination with a uniform trust code allowing for enhanced flexibility in asset administration for multiple generations of beneficiaries without the exposure of federal transfer taxes. Reference: Bank of Jackson Hole Trust Department

Wyoming Business Council: A key benefit of doing business in Wyoming is not having to pay corporate or personal income taxes. Besides allowing business owners to enjoy higher earnings, the lack of an individual income tax contributes to a lower cost of labor in the state. Wyoming has ranked #1 for business-friendly taxation and, according to the Wyoming Taxpayers Association, Wyoming’s personal tax burden is the second lowest in the nation. Wyoming’s major yearly personal taxes are about 4 percent of income while the national average varies from 8 percent to 10 percent. Reference: Wyoming Business Council

Kiplinger: You could save money by establishing residency in the state with the lowest tax burden. The Equality State is a tax haven for cowboys and retirees alike. Reference: Kiplinger

Today: If Yellowstone National Park or the snow-capped peaks of the Grand Tetons are your idea of a great backyard, the Cowboy State could be an ideal spot to spend your retirement. That taxes are senior-friendly is an added bonus. Wyoming has no state income tax, no estate or inheritance tax, and sales taxes are minimal. Retirement income, including Social Security benefits, is also tax-free. Reference: Today

Jackson Hole | Down to Business

Town of Jackson

Business Licenses: Required by the town on businesses within the city limits.

Zoning Ordinances: A list of ordinances as well as a color-coded map of zones is available at the Town Offices.

Inspections: Required at different phases of construction. Any change of an existing business requires an inspection by the Town and Fire Inspector. 307.733.4732.

Sign Ordinance: A sign permit is required and there will be a fee. A complete copy of the ordinance is available at the Town Offices.

New Construction: Sewage capacity and water capacity fees are charged on newly constructed businesses.

Teton County

The Teton County Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations, which include performance standards, are available at the County Planning Office. This serves as a guideline for building standards, zoning restrictions, building heights, parking requirements, setbacks, landscaping requirements, etc.

Teton County Planning & Development Office: 200 S. Willow, second floor; Box 1727, Jackson, WY 83001; 307.733.3959, Fax 307.733.4451. This is the main contact for permits and regulations to do with business in Teton County.

Business License: Not required, but a "change of use" permit is required in commercial districts if the use is changed and a development permit is required for a home business or other commercial activity and for non-residential development. Approval of permits may take 4 to 6 weeks depending on the use or the size of the development, 307.733.4430.

Sign Ordinance: A complete copy of the existing sign ordinance is available at the County Planning Office.

Commercial Districts: Maps showing commercial areas in Teton County are available for a fee at the County Planning Office.

New Construction: All construction requires a building permit, the cost of which is based on the value of the building construction. Applications are available at the County Building Department. Approval for these permits may take 3 to 4 weeks.

Home Base Occupation Permit: Teton County has made allowance for some businesses to be run out of the home in residential areas. A list of businesses that qualify is available at the Planning Office.

Large Developments: Approval for large developments must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and sent on to the County Commissioners with the Commission's recommendations. This process takes from 4 to 5 months.

Building Contractor Requirements: All building contractors must comply with the State Department of Revenue and Taxation, 307.777.7961, related to their requirements. Non-resident contractors must contact the Deptartment of Employment, Worker's Compensation, 307.777.6763.

State of Wyoming

State Sales Tax Licenses: Sales and some services are subject to sales tax and require a sale, and use tax license from the Department of Revenue and Taxation in Cheyenne, 307.777.7961.

Why Wyoming?

Gonnella Adamson, PC Attorneys & Counselors at Law detail the many advantages of doing business in Wyoming in the following document, "Why Wyoming?"

Introduction: "Clients considering purchasing real property in Wyoming are aware of many of the benefits Wyoming affords – natural beauty, seclusion, and economic stability. However, many are unaware of the powerful tax, business, trust, and asset protection planning opportunities available to Wyoming residents."